The Argentina star was in typically scintillating form during Sunday's Clasico at Camp Nou, scoring both his side's goals in the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid, the second of which was a sublime free-kick.

The match turned into something of a head-to-head between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portugal captain netted a double himself as the world's two best players once again proved that there is little to nothing to choose between them.

For the former LA Lakers star Magic Johnson, however, there's no doubt as to who is currently the greatest on the planet.

He told C+Liga: "I'm for Messi. I love everything he and all his team-mates represent and I have come to cheer them on to the end."

The 53-year-old was present at Camp Nou to watch the thrilling action unfold on Sunday evening, and he admitted to Barca TV it was an "honour" to have been part of the spectacle.

He added: "[This is] one of the greatest rivalries in world sport; I wanted to be here and one day [in the future] I will be able to say I was."